80% of care work is still provided by informal carers in Europe. There are thousands of Europeans, mostly women caring for a family member with support needs, for example older people or persons with disabilities. Many of them are out of the labour market and face challenges in accessing adequate resources, support services and social benefits. Leaving family carers without support puts them at risk of poverty, health problems and undermines gender equality.
With more than 1,000 answers from family carers from 16 European countries, the study provides better understanding of the situation in Europe and offers policy recommendations to better meet their needs and tackle their social exclusion.
The event is co-hosted by MEP Olga Sehnalova (S&D) and MEP Marian Harkin (ALDE) and brings together high-level policy makers from the European Commission and Member States, representatives of non-governmental organisations, and family carers with lived experience.
